Messi Destroys Mallorca (5-0)

Lionel Messi answered his critics with a superbly taken hat-trick inside the opening half-hour at Camp Nou as Barcelona thrashed Mallorca 5-0.

The Argentine striker had gone three matches without scoring evoking criticism for his recent performances but Barcelona’s No. 10 responded in emphatic fashion.

Messi’s first came courteous of a penalty which he thumped home leaving the goalkeeper no chance, and the Argentine turned in his second of the night just six minutes later.

Goal number 199 followed when Dani Alves’ inch-perfect cross was turned home on the half-volley.

Isaac Cuenca added a fourth with his first senior goal and a stunning Dani Alves strike late on helped lift Barcelona to the top of La Liga ahead of Real Madrid’s clash against Sociedad.

Barcelona dominated the early possession but it was Mallorca who came closest to taking the lead when Joao Victor burst onto a low cross only to divert his shot wide of the target.

And Mallorca were left ruing that miss when they found themselves a goal down not long afterwards when Emilio Nsue handled inside the penalty area giving Messi the chance to end his goal draught. The Argentine steadied himself before converting the spot-kick in emphatic fashion rifling the ball into the top corner of the net.

Youngster Cuenca then tormented Pedro Bigas before sending a devilish cross to the far post which Adriano volleyed, somewhat fortunately, into the path of Messi to double Barcelona's lead 21 minutes in.

Messi had completed his hat-trick inside 30 minutes with a beautifully taken half-volley after Dani Alves swung a cross into the Argentine's path who struck the ball perfectly with his left foot moving his Barcelona record to 199 goals in all competitions.

Barcelona started the second half in similar fashion and had their fourth of the night whenIsaac Cuenca rounded Aouate before hammering in his first senior goal following Adriano’s intricately placed through-ball.

There was still time for Dani Alves to add a fifth goal when he attempted an audacious shot from distance which dipped viciously below the crossbar to ensure it was a five-star performance for Guardiola’s men.

Mallorca failed to pressurise the Barcelona defence as the game sauntered to an end with Joaquin Caparros turning his attention to the match against Sevilla in pursuit of his first win as Mallorca’s coach.

Guardiola’s side will now look ahead to the Champions League as they face a difficult trip to Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday night.

Sursa : http://www.goal.com